Nagpur | Dec 30, 2016: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered that tight security be provided so that mining could resume at the earliest in Surjagarh (Gadchiroli) where Naxalites had set afire 76 trucks, 3 JCBs and a bike on Friday.
At a review meeting on Wednesday of police and government officials, he also emphasized that road network and other infrastructure should be created in the area. Officials in Gadchiroli connected through video conferencing as the meeting was held in Mantralaya in Mumbai.
An action plan has been prepared so that work can resume. The mines are leased to Lloyds Group. The debris of the burned trucks will be moved out early January.
As per the plan, the mining site will be turned into a security fortress soon. Air surveillance through drone camera will be started and it is expected to cover a stretch of 5 kms from the mining area. A couple of new police outposts would be set up and mine-protection vehicles deployed. Watch towers too will be constructed at different spots.
Fadnavis also emphasized that road network, electrification and water supply should be strengthened. He has instructed that financial provisions be made to provide all these facilities.
Talking to TOI, Fadnavis said the government would ensure security is maintained and only locals get employment at the mines. "The processing of the ore would be also done in Gadchiroli district itself," he added. Currently, it is being done in Ghughus in neighbouring Chandrapur district.
Setting up of a well-lit road network of about 30 kms is a top priority, according to the CM. TOI learns that such a proposal had been mooted long ago but no initiative was taken.
The new police outposts will have maximum security gadgets with multiple features. "We need the police posts for controlling the area. The different routes to the mine will be plugged by deploying security," said a senior official who attended the meeting.
Gadchiroli district collector ASR Naik, who too had participated in the videoconferencing, said that creating a sense of security was the prime focus so that work at the mine can resume.
Fadnavis discussed the lack of quick response from the Hedri police outpost, which was just 2 kms away, on the day of the incident. The senior police officials stressed on the need to follow standard operating procedures in Naxal-hit areas.
Adds chief secretary (home) Sudhir Shrivastava, state director general of police, Satish Mathur, divisional commissioner Anoop Kumar, adds DG (operations) Bipin Bihari, IG Anti-Naxal Operations Shivaji Bodkhe and Gadchiroli SP Abhinav Deshmukh were present during the videoconferencing.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)